Soils in your profession or study program

Soil is everyone's business

Throughout this course, we have seen that soils regulate water, cycle nutrients, support biodiversity, store carbon, preserve cultural heritage, and contribute to human wellbeing. These functions influence many aspects of society and support the systems on which our lives depend.

© Landscape view of Vienna by Sabine Huber, BOKU University.

As a result, decisions about soils are not made only by farmers, foresters, or soil scientists. They are made by people working in many different professions and sectors of society. Some decisions directly affect soils through land management or construction, while others influence the policies, technologies, values, and economic systems that shape how soils are used and protected. The landscapes we live in reflect thousands of decisions about soils and land use.